Frist Friday will be a "Marty (Stuart) Party"

This Marty Stuart photograph of Johnny Cash with Snorkle the pig in 1982 can be seen in “American Ballads: The Photographs of Marty Stuart” at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.(Photo: Marty Stuart)

But there is music on the Frist calendar, too, and if you can time your visits where the two coincide, you are in for a double treat.

Frist Fridays are a prime example. If you haven't visited lately, July 25's Frist Friday is your best shot, because not only can you see all of the art museum's exhibits, you also can see country music icon Marty Stuart performing with his Fabulous Superlatives in an outdoor concert.

And check out Stuart's new photography exhibit while you are there. It's a veritable "Marty Party" on the cheap.

The popular summertime Frist Fridays, which Frist communications director Ellen Pryor describes as "artful one-night outdoor music festivals," strive to combine music with a current show in the museum, and what better example than Stuart with his photography art and his award-winning music.

"We want to align the music with what is going on in the galleries, so this is perfect with Marty's show (American Ballads: The Photographs of Marty Stuart)," and the music, Pryor said. "It's a great way to see both sides of his creativity."

Plus you can enjoy the opening act, Trote Norteño, originators of the "Trot style" sound from northern Mexico. And there will be some affordable snacks, including $3 nachos, $5 mini-burgers and $5 buffalo wings, and a cash bar (with $6 wine, $4-$5 beer and $2 soft drinks and water).

Frist Fridays, which take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on three summer Friday nights, started 12 years ago and have brought in big names such as Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Lee Roy Parnell, Junior Brown and Tony Joe White.

"A lot of people come early and do the galleries and then stay for the music," said Pryor, adding that patrons often use the event as the start of an evening that might end up at a downtown restaurant or some other nearby event. She said the Frist Friday events typically attract 1,500 to 2,000 people.

In addition to the Stuart music and photographs, the Frist has other exhibitions that you should see: "Watch Me Move: The Animation Show" through Sept. 1, and "Real/Surreal Selections from the Whitney Museum of American Art" through Oct. 13.

I'm not sure what music I would pick to go with them, but the "Marty Party" should be the perfect combo!

If you can't make it to Frist Friday, you can still see Stuart's photography in the Frist's Conte Community Gallery through Nov. 2, and that hallway gallery is free all the time.

And if you want more music at the Frist, they have free live music (an eclectic mix) in the Frist cafe every Thursday and Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m.

"American Ballads: The Photographs of Marty Stuart" features 64 black and white photographs, including four by Stuart's mother, Hilda, who was his inspiration for photography.

The exhibit is divided into three sections: The Masters, which features the country music "masters"; Blue Line Hotshots, which focuses on small town Americans; and the Badlands, which captures the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Frist officials say the photography exhibit showcases Stuart's considerable talent behind the lens. But they say his photography is extra special because he was able to use his genuine friendships — and the access that came with them — to capture intimate moments with celebrities including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and others.

The exhibit is on view in The Conte Community Arts Gallery at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts through Nov. 2, and the hallway gallery is free all the time.